The Mayflower

Imagine...a stormy night at sea in September, 1620. One hundred and two souls huddled aboard a very small ship destined for an uncertain future. Many were seeking freedom from religious persecution; others, a better way of life. Imagine their mixture of fear, excitement and anticipation.

The faith, courage and hope of those families and every family that has followed them make our nation what it is today. That is why the story of the men, women and children, we now call Pilgrims, is relevant today and important to pass from generation to generation.

After the Mayflower had anchored off Cape Cod, some of the passengers began to question the authority of the leaders of the expedition.  That authority had been granted for a settlement in the northern part of Virginia, and not for New England.  The Pilgrims drew up an agreement that the passengers would stay together in a "civil body politic."  That agreement, later known as The Mayflower Compact, was signed on board the Mayflower on November 22, 1620 by 41 men.  The original signed Mayflower Compact no longer exists, but we know its wording from the writings of Governor William Bradford.


The First Thanksgiving

Plimoth Plantation

Old Sturbridge Village

This page last update 05/21/2005